absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business
b
: one missing from work or school
absentee adjective

Examples of absentee in a Sentence

There were 10 sick absentees that day.
Recent Examples on the Web Pictures of President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge show them being sworn in as meeting the criteria for Massachusetts absentee voting in 1924 and sitting at a small wooden table picturesquely placed on the White House South Lawn. Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 Mail-in absentee voting is underway in Wisconsin with Kennedy's name on the ballot. Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024 State authorities are gathering information on damage to voting facilities and will evaluate the effect on absentee and in-person voting, officials said. NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024 Walton plans to vote in person, but said Trump’s past railing against absentee voting hurt the Republican presidential candidate’s chances four years ago. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absentee 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absentee.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abscenté "person holding property in Ireland but illegally resident in England," from past participle of absenter "to be absent," verbal derivative of absent absent entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee was in 1537

Dictionary Entries Near absentee

Cite this Entry

“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: a person who is absent
absentee adjective

Legal Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: as
a
: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate
b
: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding
absentee adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on absentee

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